How to get rid of cockroaches: best ways to do it yourself without an exterminator!

Cockroaches are one of the most difficult enemy insects for humans to fight. Scientists have proved that these small creatures can survive a nuclear attack and many natural disasters. While this is true for cockroaches, in general, exterminating them in a particular house is accomplishable. You’ll have to work hard though and using just one product will barely help you. We recommend using a complex approach. Here you’ll know how to get rid of roaches using slow and fast acting solutions approved by scientists. Such an approach comprises a whole variety of steps and actions; from keeping your house constantly clean to using effective solutions. We have picked the best cockroach control products for those whose accommodation is constantly attacked by these pests. But before moving on to this let’s first get to know better the main character of today’s article.

Top 10 Cockroach Facts: Is It Real to Get Rid of Roaches Quickly?

Anyone who has ever encountered cockroach infestation faced the same problem. At first you win the fight and exterminate the insects completely, but after a while, their smug snouts reappear in the same spots as before. Such comebacks occur with varying frequency: the infestation may relapse monthly, every six months or annually. Why does this happen?

Our apprehension is caused by the lack of knowledge about cockroaches and their behavior. Here are some facts which will arm you with valuable knowledge against these whiskered pests.

1. Cockroaches love wet and damp places. They are especially active in the summer in humid regions. Nevertheless, they can also feel quite well in temperate climate as well given that they have access to moisture and food which are usually both available in any household.

2. The insects’ habitat is usually defined by their preferences. Most often you’ll come across them near sewage and behind the sink, near stoves and any heating systems, as well as in the kitchen or bathroom. They also inhabit darker secluded spots such as floor gaps, closed vegetable boxes, loose floorboards, wall holes, niches for the furniture, loose wallpaper, etc.

3. Cockroaches love darkness and shade. Their activity peaks when humans are asleep. Come to the kitchen at night, turn the lights on and you’ll see dozens of these pests.

4. They are disgusting. Unlike many other insects, they actually defecate, leave debris of their food, saliva and skin in the least accessible spots. These debris can cause allergies and other uncomfortable diseases.

5. As much as cockroaches love heat, they hate cold. When the temperature falls below -8 °C, they begin to die. A day of intense ventilation in winter can actually help combat these pests. At the same time, they can easily survive mild winter in a warm place.

6. Cockroaches feed irregularly. Females can survive up to 45 days without food while males need food a bit more often. Sometimes this reduces the effect of poisoning by ingestion and gels and doesn’t entail immediate results.

7. Cockroaches live in large colonies and rarely leave them for food. They neither have strict hierarchy like ants nor do socialize like bees. As a rule, some two or three clusters of cockroaches inhabit an apartment. If you destroy them, there would be far fewer insects in the house. They “communicate” by exuding pheromones, group together along these “fragrant paths” and pave the trails.

8. Cockroaches are omnivorous but they still have certain preferences. They avoid products containing fat, spoilt food, and mold. They love everything sweet and smelly, rich in carbohydrates. They also feed on carrion and feces, according to the Woking Environment Service. By the way, they can also consume their own dead. The manufacturers of poisonous gels use this peculiarity to provoke chain reaction when exterminating these insects.

9. Cockroaches can’t smell. They can only identify food and attractant a few centimeters away. That’s why they have to constantly move around and hope to accidentally bump into some food. However, if their nest is located near trash or kitchen table, the issue is resolved, and they may not leave it at all in case there is sufficient supply of food.

10. They breed fast and live long. During its lifespan of 170-180 days, a female roach can lay 30-40 eggs each 2-3 weeks. In this way, the cockroach population can increase by 27 times in a year!

7 Tips on Нow to Get Rid Of Cockroaches Without An Exterminator

Here are some simple rules which will help you get rid of cockroaches on your own. We’ve picked the best DIY methods and products which will let you liquidate the infestation. The key thing to remember is that cockroaches are very tenacious, are used to constant struggles with humans and won’t give up that easily. That is why our first advice is to use several products simultaneously.

1. First, deprive them of access to water, food and secluded spots. Regularly clean the house, ventilate the rooms and never leave the food and dirty dishes on the table.

3. Roach Killing Gel and Baits are considered to be the most effective cockroach control products today. Cockroaches eat poisons and infect other insects.

4. Roach bait stations work in a similar manner but are considered safer for use if you have kids or pets as the poison is located inside the device.

5. Roach traps were invented for those who do not wish to see dead cockroaches everywhere. It’s very cool as the roaches disappear somewhere inside the capturing device where they die of hunger as they can’t get out, and you won’t have to collect them all around the kitchen.

6. Roach Spray is to be applied spot-on. You see a pest, you discharge it, and it is dead. Unfortunately, a dead insect won’t be able to contaminate its mates.

7. Insect Growth Regulator is productive when combined with other products. Sterilizing the females is half of your victory.

The main thing is not to count on quick victory and not to let up right after the cockroaches leave your house or else you’ll face some serious troubles…

Why Are Cockroaches Dangerous?

Not only do cockroaches look nasty, they also spoil our food. In addition, they present a real danger to both adults and kids. Every day of living side-by-side with la cucaracha is risky. Here are some of the threats from having cockroaches around:

Allergies. Those with allergies will be very sensitive to a cockroach infestation. The insect’ feces and flakes off its body can provoke allergies. The more infested and less clean your house is, the more likely is the risk of getting an allergic reaction varying from skin inflammation to itching and breathing problems.

Asthma may become the strongest sign of allergy to cockroaches’ saliva and feces debris. Most often it occurs to children. The symptoms of this disease are difficulty in breathing, coughing at night and fatigue. The only way to avoid allergic asthma when having a cockroach infestation is to ventilate, wet clean and vacuum clean your apartment.

Cockroaches infect food. Just yesterday they could feast on feces in your toilet and some dead cousin of theirs, and the next day they run around and defecate on your kitchen table. This is a serious threat both to foodstuff on your table and your health.

They destroy various objects. Voracious cockroaches might also finish some paper products and fabric and leave stains and disgusting odors on your things.

They spread bacteria and viruses. It has been proven that various types of cockroaches spread salmonella, hepatitis, coliforms, and even typhoid fever! According to the UC IPM portal, there have been cases of human dysentery after coming in contact with cockroaches. At the very least these diseases will make you spend lots of money on expensive treatment or theoretically can even lead to death.

How To Kill Cockroaches: What Scientists Say

Jeff Hahn and Mark E. Ascerno, scientists with the University of Minnesota Extension, have stressed the need of resorting to insecticides to kill roaches. Apparently, when it comes to a serious pest infestation, nonchemical solutions alone will not work out and more drastic measures are required. Also, they advocate a comprehensive approach and the use of chemicals in a combination with other efforts such as clean-up and removing shelters for cockroaches. Entomologists from the Auburn University have stated this in stronger terms: “The least effective control method is the use of chemicals alone. Using chemicals alone results in insecticide resistance and, ultimately, very poor control,”they claim. As an example, the researchers note that greasy surfaces reduce the effect of insecticides.

A wide range of insecticides are commercially available, therefore, there is no need to name all the brands, instead, we list the most potent active ingredients which can be found on a product label. Choosing a spray, be it an aerosol or liquid, look for the following compounds: deltamethrin, cypermethrin, permethrin, and cyfluthrin. These are active ingredients recommended by scientists to kill cockroaches. Also, take into consideration some practical guidelines on how to kill roaches. First, do not discharge it all around the room, instead focus on precise sites where insects typically congregate. Second, do not apply the product on flat surfaces such as the floor. Third, be sure the chemicals do not get into human and pet food.

As for baits, manufacturers place them in containers which are safe for humans in handling. The strong point of this solution is that the container can be stuck to a specific site and its application rules out the dispersion of chemicals. M. K. Rust and D. A. Reierson, entomologists from UC Riverside, have indicated a number of active ingredients killing cockroaches but not all of them can be obtained by homeowners. Products containing fipronil, indoxacarb, and abamectin are designed for professionals while such compounds as hydramethylnon and imidacloprid are intended for homeowners. Consider that using aerosol foggers and bombs are not recommended by scientists as they have too many downsides. First, they do not properly deliver insecticides to crevices whereas these are the most common sites harboring cockroaches. Second, foggers and bombs are most likely to be hazardous to humans and pets.

Slow and Fast Acting Roach Killing Solutions

Such a variety of the products to kill cockroaches. But which one should be chosen? Actually, the answer depends on a specific situation in your house, the level of infestation and other conditions. Now, we outline the key peculiarities of commercially available roach killing solutions and you make up your own mind about what exactly you need.

You may choose either products showing an immediate result or long-term solutions but with a permanent effect. Scientists with the Auburn University have highlighted dusts as a slow-acting method but, at the same time, giving a long-lasting control. Dusts are intended to be applied in dry and enclosed areas where insects typically hide. The most commonly used ingredient is boric acid which we have examined in detail in a separate section of this review. Normally, the dust produces more or less tangible results in a week or so killing the entire infestation.

According to researchers at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the best active ingredients contained in baits are slow-acting as well. This ensures that the lure consumed by a roach will kill it. Hydramethylnon acts slowly and is a stomach poison available both in granules and as a gel. It is not toxic to humans when handled in accordance with the label. Fipronil is the fastest acting ingredient and has a significant impact even at low concentrations. But as we mentioned above, fipronil is allowed to be used by licensed professionals only, to hire them, call the local pest control service.

Still, Grzegorz Buczkowski from the North Carolina State University presented the results of a study showing a clear advantage of slow-acting solutions. “When the baits and dead cockroaches were removed from the large arenas and replaced with new cockroaches, only residues of the slow-acting hydramethylnon killed most of the nymphs and adults, whereas residues of fast-acting insecticides (chlorpyrifos and fipronil) killed fewer nymphs and adults,”the document says. So, fast-acting insecticides provide an immediate result but are ineffective for the second population of roaches.

Among the slow-acting insecticides, some are more effective than others depending on the form of the product. So, the gel based on abamectin kills all cockroaches that consumed the substance, whereas the powder containing the same amount of abamectin kills three times fewer pests. This is due to the fact that roaches are less prone to ingesting the powder and, instead, are sometimes deterred by it. Sprays and aerosols kill quickly and provide only a short-term control. One of the downsides is that these solutions just drive cockroaches out of the treated area but not from the house. Eventually, they will emerge in the same place in a while. Even worse, those survived turn resistant to chemicals, making it harder to kill roaches.

Apart from that, insecticides can kill insects either on contact or by affecting the entire colony. So, aerosols available to homeowners have a low concentration of the active ingredient and kill roaches only when contact them. For this reason, aerosols do a poor job in eliminating a pest infestation in such enclosed areas as cracks and crevices. Dusts also work through the contact with insects and are effective when applied to hard-to-reach areas.

An alternative to killing roaches on contact is an approach involving application of insect growth regulators (IGRs) which make the affected insects infertile. Scientists with the University of Kentucky single outhydroprene, a registered insect growth regulator targeting cockroaches. This insecticide is available in aerosol or liquid. When applied to a cockroach, hydroprene is absorbed into the insect body and make it infertile without killing it directly. This is a long-lasting solution but, nevertheless, a repeated application is required in three or more months to obtain satisfactory results. In a month, you will see the reduction in roach population but the pest control will last longer as the insects will not be able to reproduce anymore. Don’t be upset if initially you will see even more cockroaches in the daytime. It’s Ok. Such behavior indicates that IGR really works, just give it the time.

Another recommended IGR is based on pyriproxyfen affecting nymphs and developing them into infertile adults. This is a slow-acting solution with a low toxicity to humans. Noviflumuron is also an insecticide which does not directly kill roaches. It makes cockroaches unable to shed their exoskeleton what results into the insect’s death when it grows up.

How to Get Rid of Roaches Naturally

Our favorite cockroach expert - biologist Joseph G. Kunkel when asked about killing roaches says: "I realize that most people are more interested in killing them since they are pests in their houses and can contribute to spreading disease in hospitals and childhood asthma in the home. Beware of most commercial preparations, even those that depend upon the 'natural' insect juvenile hormone. Since these are relatively slow acting, the manufacturers often add a 'knock-down' additive poison which gratifies the user since it provides visual proof that the treatment works when it comes in direct contact with the pest. Read the label of whatever poison you use".I have come across 2 methods of killing cockroaches that are non-toxic to humans: Boric Acid and Live-traps.

Boric Acid. The crystals of boric acid are sharp and get between the joints of an insect's exoskeleton. The sharp crystals abrade the cuticle and make the cockroach lose water and die of dehydration. This is a simple and cheap method. Dust the boric acid (which is relatively non-toxic) around the corners of rooms and in hiding places frequented by the roaches.

It is finely ground ruby dust which performs the same function as boric acid crystals but is more permanent. Boric acid washes away when you want to get rid of it. You will find the dried carcasses of cockroaches in various hiding places as well as out in the open where they marched their last step searching for water". Boric Acid from $4you will find on Amazon.com.

Why Вoric Acid & Diatomaceous Earth are the Safest Ways to Get Rid of Roaches

Boric acid is actually an amalgam of boron and water. Boron is one of the elements mined from earth and used in number of consumer products like toothpastes, mouthwash and laundry additives. it is used either solely or in combination with water for controlling insects population.

Boric acid acts as a contact poison as well as a stomach poison. A number of studies have revealed that boric acid, when ingested by cockroaches, reaches the stomach and acts as a stomach poison. Other studies have reported that even when boric acid comes in contact with the skin of cockroaches, it gets absorbed and dries the bodies of insects to the extent that it leads to their death. Boric acid is not toxic to humans but very toxic to cockroaches.

Also, take advantage of diatomaceous earth which is an excellent natural solution made from the remains of aquatic organisms. Dr. Barb Ogg from the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension suggests using D.E. along with boric acid. Both are dust, environmentally friendly and exclude chemicals. Diatomaceous earth damages the coating of the cockroach's body making the insect dry out and eventually die. Scientists from the University of Alaska recommend applying the stuff on floors and behind walls, particularly to cracks and crevices where cockroaches typically hide.

Given below are the guidelines on the use of boric acid against cockroaches:

While in kitchen, first of all, vacant the whole area especially the cabinets and area under the sink;

Also clean the area under and beside the refrigerator;

Now carefully fill all the cracks and holes;

Don’t use glue for sealing the holes as cockroaches can easily eat it;

Now carefully spread the boric acid all around and for the better result do it at night. Be careful not to inhale it while spreading;

Now clean all the area either by washing it or by using a vacuum cleaner and then wipe with a dry rag.

Natural Roach Capturing Devices

We’ve found for you other natural solutions. You can set a number of traps for cockroaches and some effective ones are mentioned below.

Sticky Tape and Onion Trap. This solution is effective at night. What you have to do is to buy a sticky tape, after that slice an onion and put it on the tape. Now place this assembly in the sites where roaches hang out at night. In the morning, you will find many of them stuck to the tape.

Jar Trap. Another effective way to get rid of cockroaches. What you have to do is to wrap a duct tape or any other opaque tape on a jar. Place attractive items in the jar and put that on shelf. Cockroaches will enter into it, and you can put some jelly or boiling water on jar. This is how you will create a blockage for the cockroaches.

Wine Bottle Trap. Long neck wine bottle can also be used for catching cockroaches. In order to make a trap, you have put either wine or solution of sugar and water in a bottle. First pour the oil inside the bottle and cover the long neck. When cockroaches come to the bottle and get into the container, it is time to put solution inside. You can vaseline the inside wall so that insects can't climb up.

Baking Soda. This is also one of the options to use against cockroaches. Take some container comprising the mixture of sugar, water, and baking soda. Put this mixture in a place where insects are usually seen. Smell of this mixture will attract cockroaches so they will come into the container and get into the trap. Baking Soda will react with water and produce a gas. It will cause the bursting of cockroaches’ stomach.

Petroleum Jelly. What you can do is grease the container with petroleum jelly. Add some food articles, cockroaches will come to eat them but will slip back into the container. They will try their best to escape and move back towards their shelter. In this way, you can trace their shelter and eventually kill all of them.

10 Methods To Kill Roaches: Comparison Table

Method

Type

Advantage

Disadvantage

Effectiveness

Reducing food & water accessibility

long-lasting solution; alters them roach habitat making your house unattractive to them; enhance sanitary conditions in the house

roaches may live without food up to a month; they feed on their dead and droppings; labor-consuming

7

Clean-up

long-lasting solution; alters the roach habitat making your house unattractive to them; enhance sanitary conditions in the house

the most labor-consuming method; it does not work in hard-to-reach areas

7

Sprays

fast-acting

easy to apply and are available ready-to-use; safe as there is no necessity to mix concentrates

equipment may not function properly or can leak putting household residents at risk; usually are not designed to be applied to narrow crevices.

7

Aerosols

fast-acting

easy to use and are widely available

poor residual; are not cost-effective; solvent vapors can be hazardous to humans.

6

Foggers

fast-acting

easy to use and are widely available

can be dangerous; will kill exposed insects only; will not get into enclosed areas; pests may hide deep into walls after a fogger is applied; scientists strongly advise against using foggers.

2

Sticky Tape & Onion and Jar Trap

fast-acting

natural, safe for humans and pets; ingredients are usually available in any household

kills individual pests without affecting the colony; effective at night only; once set it is difficult to move; only fresh and really sticky tape does the job; sliced onion left overnight will have a foul smell to humans

4

Petroleum Jelly, Wine Bottle Trap, Baking Soda

fast-acting

natural; safe for humans and pets; ingredients are usually available in any household; kills on contact without chemicals

dried up gel and empty stations will not kill roaches because the insects will not consume the substance; need to be regularly checked.

10

Dusts (hydramethylnon; fipronil)

slow-acting

the most recommended solution for hard to reach areas; roaches easily pick up dust and carry it to their shelters.

dusts look ugly when applied to open areas; humidity reduces the product’s effectiveness.

9

Boric acid / diatomaceous earth

slow-acting

non-toxic to humans; a simple and cheap method; affects physically making insects die of dehydration

powder is not a convenient formulation as it can be vacuumed up during a clean-up or dispersed by wind; needs to be re-applied regularly; effective only when dry what is problematic since cockroaches prefer areas of high moisture

10

How to Get Rid Of German Roaches

We have to answer another frequently asked question: how to get rid of German roaches? This question bothers many readers of ours.

Normally, when it comes to cockroaches, we turn to our favorite expert, Biology Professor, Joseph G. Kunkel. Here’s what he says about German cockroaches: “The chief biologist at the Munich TierPark (Zoo) said they had no German cockroaches in their zoo and gave me three tropical species that they knew were living in various environments they maintained in the park. But I knew better. I went to the reptile house which is kept hot and humid and saw loads of Blattella germanica (Linnaeus,1767) in the space of a half hour, and during the day at that! B. germanica, the German cockroach, probably entered Europe with Marco Polo or along early trade routes. Southeast Asia is its most likely origin. There are several sibling species that are very close to B. germanica; some even cross breed with it. Its relatives are common around pig stys in the outer islands of Hong Kong. Live pigs were often kept on exploration ships during long trips. It became associated with man and traveled around the world. It was formally named by Linnaeus and probably was around in Germany for quite a while before the name was applied.

In Germany, it is sometimes called "Die russische Schabe", The Russian Roach. In Russia, it is called the Polish Roach. In America, it was called the Crotton Bug because it came to NY about the time the Crotton Aqueduct was built which was pilloried in the papers because it took so much land by eminent domain.

The American Cockroach, Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus 1758) likewise is a misnomer since it probably originated in North Africa before becoming a world traveler. It most likely reached the Americas during the early slave trade. As you see there are thousands of species of cockroach and only about 10 have become cosmopolitan pests of man. Most of the others do not even have a common name. “ By the way, this species is most frequently called palmetto bug.

That’s why getting rid of German cockroaches is pretty much the same as getting rid of all other types of roaches. University of Florida scientists also confirm this. According to them, it’s necessary to use prevention and sanitation methods before and concurrently with chemical control tactics. The most commonly used chemical formulations for cockroach control are baits, sprays, and dusts.

In conclusion, we wish to note that you can also use the knowledge for exterminating cockroaches. Several books and manuals on tactical extermination of these pests can be found on Amazon.com. Perfect household: How to easily and efficiently get rid of spiders, cockroaches and other pests in your household without using any chemicals (Perfect Household, Household Management) will become an extended guide on the matter. Cockroaches: Ecology, Behavior, and Natural History book will provide you with complete information regarding these pests collected by professional biologists.

TOP-10 Products to Kill Cockroaches

This review covers a variety of solutions designed to kill roaches as well as to eliminate the entire colony. We have explored the peculiarities of products available in gels, dusts, discs, liquids, and all sorts of roach capturing devices. Some of them are based on effective chemical active ingredients while others represent safer natural solutions. You may choose fast-acting liquids killing cockroaches on contact or take advantage of slower insect growth regulators which force roach colonies to abandon any hope for survival. Look at the review and make your choice!

How to kill the entire colony of cockroaches for sure

Advion roach baits are based on the active ingredient indoxacarb and target all species of cockroaches producing including German roaches. A crucial advantage of this powerful and luring ingredient is that it does not repel rinsects, nor does it make them resistant after the application, which is usually the case with conventional insecticides. The products available in the formulations of gel and powder show professional results but work in a different way. They can be used both indoors and outdoors

The gel formulation packed in four tubes quickly controls the heaviest populations. It is designed not only for large but for small roaches as well. The solution tackles tasks of different complexity, starting from the elimination of entire infestation to affecting bait-averse insects. For heavy infestations, up to five spots are required per ten linear feet. Significantly, the product is a best seller No.1on Amazon.com rating 4.5 out of 5 stars, with over 12,600 customer reviews the bulk of which are positive ones. “We had a terrible infestation and I did not think we would ever solve it. The small dabs of gel attract the roaches and in a few days we only saw a few. And now when we see them showing up we put the dabs down in select spots where they show up and it takes care of them,” one of the customers wrote.

Another option formulated in station form is slow-acting allowing for its easy delivery to the roach colony. After contact with the powder, a cockroach transfers it to the shelter poisoning other insects. Also, the active ingredient affects those eating feces or carcasses of poisoned conspecifics. This solution does not have a foul smell and is safer for kids and pets compared with the previous one. However, it is less popular with Amazon consumers, scoring 4.3 out of 5 stars with nearly 500 reviews which are also predominantly positive. “Amazing! I cover the kitchen with these before bed. In the morning I saw the roaches moving so slow and dying. After a few weeks I haven't seen a single roach,” a satisfied customer shared his experience.

How to kill cockroaches fast

The solution kills cockroaches on contact with the residual effect lasting up to a month. It is available in an easy-to-use aerosol bottle which is safe for the applicator. You can target a group of roaches detected in the house or treat the area around their shelter. A drawback is that the product cannot penetrate enclosed areas where the insects are hiding.

The product has scored 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com, with 80% of the customers giving it five stars. However, some of the users are pleased both with the results and the lemony smell of the product which, according to them, is a clear advantage compared with a long-lasting “terrible chemical smell” of other brands. “Great product. Kills on contact and lasts a long time,” a customer commented. Some users noted that roaches were resistant to that solution and even managed to escape.

How to Get Rid of Roaches in the Kitchen

This glue trap does not contain poisons and is absolutely safe for kids and pets. The device is intended not only to capture the pests but also to monitor their number in the house. In case you have no idea where the roach shelter is located, place these items in different corners of the room to find out where the infestation takes root. It will definitely help you in determining pest management measures.

The device is made of a thick cardboard sized seven by three inches and is easy-to-use since it can be set as one large item or divided into smaller parts depending on your plan. No matter whether you will locate it vertically or horizontally because the solution sticks well almost to any flat surface. You can easily do without lures attracting roaches. Just place the item in the site where they usually hang out and these insects will got stuck as soon as they step inside it. Still, if you believe it’s necessary to do your best to attract these pests inside, use special non-poisonous tablets designed to lure roaches. However, they are optional and not included into the package. Also, for the sake of convenience, a space is provided on the outer side for making notes about where and when the solution was applied.

It rates 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com, with almost 700 customers reviews most of which are positive. “I use no bait but put it near the door where bugs can get in a leaky spot, I catch so many it becomes full,” one of the users have shared his experience.

Best Way to Get Rid of Roaches in Home if You Have Pets

If you have pets and kids at home, stations killing roaches is the better option. There are various formulations available. The first solution which comes under the brand Hot Shot is a small single-action station which produce an immediate result. The package contains six stations so that they can be placed in different locations. Its strong point is that the active ingredient dinotefuran kills both cockroaches and their eggs within a day. The device contains not only food but water as well which is crucial as roaches can live without food for about a month, whereas they need to get water at least every week. Once the pests enter the device and consume the lure, they get a lethal dose of the insecticide. The product rates 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com. As one of the customers put it: “Leave them around the area you see the roaches alot. They will ingest and you will start to see them dead around the room within days”.

Another solution, Roach Holder, is a large plastic trap for poison bait suggested for cases of a heavy infestation. The idea is that the insects can easily enter the device but have no chances to leave it. Therefore, no chemicals and poisons are involved while the roach control is carried out through capturing them physically. The product’s advantage is that it is reusable. Just put any lure, cover the lid and place it in an appropriate site to attract more insects. Once the roaches get inside, they remain there to die. Roach Holder is less popular with than the previous product rating 3.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com. Its evident downside is that cockroaches do not die there but instead are hold captured. To hasten insect death, you may put a poison inside.

Combat Max has a liquid bait with an active ingredient fipronil. It is designed to control German cockroaches and kills not only the insects that have got inside but destroys their nest as well. 18 stations are included at such a moderate price. The product has scored 3.9 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com, with over 940 customer reviews. One of the users has emphasized the importance to obtain a 12-month option because, in his opinion, the manufacturer use the stronger stuff in that option.

Slow but Guaranteed Elimination of Roach Infestation

This product allows for a long-term solution and ensures the elimination of the entire colony regardless of how hard to reach their hiding place is. It is designed to control the roach growth through hydroprene, an active ingredient lasting for three months. The product will produce an effect even though roaches do not come in direct contact with it. How does it work? Hydroprene prevents larvae from developing into adults and makes the latter sterile. This excludes the emergence of future roach infestations confining your task to just killing the existing ones. Also, bear in mind that it will take several weeks to see the results.

IGR rates 4.1 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com. The consumers agree that the solution takes the insect population down and does it relatively fast. Some users come up with the idea to use IGR in a combination with other solutions such as gel. “It does not kill the roaches but rather makes sure that they cannot reproduce which is very important to ending an infestation,” one user noted.

Natural Way to Kill Cockroaches

In case you stake on natural solutions, this is the best bet for you. Safe for humans and pets, the product has a long-lasting effect keeping on killing roaches even in a month following the first application. Formulated in powder, it should always remain dry, otherwise, the effect will be significantly decreased. Apart from that, the powder can be delivered in hard-to-reach areas by means of a puffer with extended straw. To entice insects, the product contains a special lure to which the pests do not become resistant.

Although being a long-lasting solution, boric acid is a fast-acting insecticide killing insects within a couple of days. Boric Acid interferes with the digestive system of the affected cockroach and also clings to its body what eventually kills other cockroaches once the insect is back to the colony.

Boric Acid rates 4.0 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com. Consumers note that it really takes some time to kill the whole colony but the solution does the job. Some users warn against putting the powder down where pets and kids can get to it. “Unlike most other commercially available roach solutions, this is the most cost effective, absolutely superior method of ridding your house of roaches,” a satisfied customer concluded.

Another natural solution formulated as dust is diatomaceous earth which is also suggested by scientists for cockroach control. A four-pound bag containing the powder based on D.E. is available on Amazon.com approximately at the same price as boric acid. It kills cockroaches by dehydration after the powder is ingested and can be used both inside and outside the house. As is in the case with boric acid, diatomaceous earth does not develop the insects’ resistance to the product because no chemical substance is included in the formula.

D.E. has the same level of popularity on Amazon.com, rating 4.0 out of 5 stars. “Never could even think of getting rid of the roaches in my apt. Until now. Dusted twice and they are gone. I can't believe how easy it was plus no toxicity,” one customer wrote. Another user specified that from his experience diatomaceous earth had not killed all cockroaches, however, he noted a dramatic decrease in a number of roaches.

To sum up our review, we’d like to draw your attention to a significant benefit. Fierce competition has led to a serious drop in prices for cockroach control products what serves us well. So go ahead and protect your house from intruder insects. We wish you good luck!

For those who have pets I could recommend Tarol Volkova-against roaches,named after Russian scientist,the preparation is widely used and well known in Siberia.

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June • Thursday, 17 August 2017 03:12

Can someone tell me if it's true that cockroaches does bite humans? The reason I ask this question is because I recently stayed over at a friend whose house is infested with cockroaches. When I mean infested I really mean it there's not a place in the apartment that doesn't have cockroaches ceilings walls floor table counter bed couch bathtub bathroom doors windows fridge stove oven laundry closet table the aggrevated thing is they're always cleaning the apartment. They live right near some woods and someone had said one of the problem was because they live too close to woods. Can anyone confirm that the two questions I raised are correct and true? Thank you

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Christi Taylor • Friday, 30 June 2017 01:55

I have a MAJOR infestation of Cockroaches, and I mean MAJOR INFESTATION, they are in all rooms in my apartment, in the cabinets, refrigerator, clothing,behind all wall decorations and I am very scared to use any pesticides because I have cats. What do you recommend? They are even crawling in my cats food and I am scared my cats will get sick or worse, die. PLEASE HELP!!!

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barb • Sunday, 27 August 2017 03:35

moving...

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Mae • Wednesday, 08 March 2017 19:29

Please be aware that they travel in clothing and or luggage if people visit, meaning if u know someone who has roaches in their home and they want to visit they should leave their stuff either on the porch or wash it at a laundrymat before visiting.

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Tarzan • Wednesday, 23 November 2016 17:15

Hi to everybody. Tell me, how do you all bring it to this point? Cockroaches are so awful. They carry so much infections, cause allergies, and imagine if you have kids at home? I saw a cockroach, and already wanted to throw everything from the kitchen, just so I wouldn’t get any more of them. For getting rid of cockroaches, I usually use as many methods as possible: put a cockroach trap, and scatter boric acid in the cracks and corners. Up till now, it has been helping.

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Natali • Sunday, 27 November 2016 15:53

Good afternoon! It seems to me that almost every woman knows how to get rid of cockroaches, because many of them have already fought them. I would not be so negative as Tarzan, as cockroaches don’t always infest because of the dirt in the house. There are many factors that we cannot influence. They can always come running from the neighbours if you live in an apartment, especially on the first floor, and then periodically, you will need to get rid of these disgusting creatures. Therefore, the cockroaches are not a sign of a bad house wife!

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June • Thursday, 17 August 2017 02:45

I agree Natali with you on the fact that your house can be clean as clean can be but they can come from your neighbors because they crawl through windows and under your front door if you live in apartment building. I have a friend who have a serious infestation in his apartment and building they're always cleaning around the apartment and they feel like each time the exterminator come they get more cockroaches. I know I'm extremely allergic to insects and their bites however I didn't know that cockroaches bites human I slept over my friend house yesterday and during the night I felt being bitten by something wouldn't never thought it was cockroaches I woke up this morning with bumps all over my back arms shoulders legs and even my fingers. I have never felt worse before my entire body is burning, hurting and itching from the bites it's unbelievable and disgusting it makes me feel sick to my stomach just thinking about them crawling on my body and biting me or what ever they did to me.
I'm going to try all the methods that was given above.

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Jess • Wednesday, 26 October 2016 12:03

Thank you, your article really helped me to learn how to get rid of roaches. At first I tried a trap with a bow and tape. It helped, but not as effectively as I would like. Maybe, if you use it a bit longer, then there will be better results. But I was tired of living with such "neighbours" and bought the boric acid after all. After I used it everywhere, I quickly saw results. Let's see, of course, how long the effect will last, but I hope the cockroaches will not return.

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Dex • Saturday, 26 November 2016 21:46

And do you know if there are those animals in the house, and is boric acid dangerous? I know that it's non-toxic for humans. But what if I have a house cat – what do I do in such a situation? If someone knows the best way to get rid of roaches that can be applied if you have pets at home, please advise something.

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Dart • Monday, 17 October 2016 07:32

Just tell me honestly, which self-made traps from cockroaches have helped you? They're multiplying with the speed of the light, and are simply impossible to catch. I vote for more effective methods! Very recently, I used cockroach gel baits and they really saved me. Specialized services of course know how to get rid of roaches, but it is not a budget option while it's possible to fight those whiskered creatures by yourself.

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Spy • Tuesday, 18 October 2016 20:40

I also use budget options, and do not want the process of getting rid of roaches to become a big expense. I'm so afraid of all those living creatures, that am ready to clean the kitchen every day! = (. However, when they still appear (I think they came from the neighbours above), Advion gel bait helped me to kill them. I bought it because of reviews, and never regretted it.

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Bob • Friday, 14 October 2016 19:45

I used boric powder in my apt. Put it all along the walls in the kitchen and bathroom, behind stove, fridge, wedges, cracks, corners. Daily night I would also spread boric powder on a sheet of newspaper (with some sugar or some food mixed in to attract the roaches) and leave it in on the kitchen floor. Did this for one month and my apt. is roach free since last 2 years. Prior to that I had major roach infestation and for 3 years I tried all kinds of sprays, gels, baits, professional pest control...basically everything under the sun and nothing worked. Thanks boric powder.

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Paula Hurt • Wednesday, 19 October 2016 11:06

does it work Bob.Says on this site to clean your furniture.Need to know the easiest way to kill them .Moths.

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loise • Friday, 17 June 2016 08:58

Cockroaches are disgusting little creatures carrying significant health risks to anyone in the same room with them. They leave behind a terrible odor. Then someone suggested me to call Pest Management. They are expert in treating cockroach infestations.Their approach is to use direct methods for elimination, which include a number of safe practices that are a much healthier way to get rid of the cockroaches.I thanks to them to make my house pest free.

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victoria logan • Saturday, 30 April 2016 13:14

really helpful ! My brother was down in our basement the other day when he found some cockroaches near our water heater. There were only about three but we aren't sure if that is all. I want to make sure that they don't grow in numbers and that we take care of the problem as soon as possible. These tips will definitely help,!

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Russell Duarte • Wednesday, 30 March 2016 01:09

Diatomaceous Earth know as DE is a fantastic powder to use for killing all types of bugs from lice, bed bugs, to fleas, ticks, spiders etc. I was so frustrated with ticks on my dog till I went to my farm supply to get a bottle of yard spray and told my good friend Glenn the owner of my problem he said use DE? I said what is DE its short for diatomaceous earth. Its and all powder not harmful to animals and humans in fact it lowers blood pressure and you can put some in the dogs food and water and they will not get sick or die but to these crawling insects when they become in contact with this white powder the become dehydrated and die. Farmers use it in feed silos and wheat and grains. U can put it in your smoothies and it is good for the body and for dogs it kills worms of all kinds. It has a long shelf time only one draw back don't get it wet. Its not effective only after it become dry once again then it works very well. IT'S NOT HARMFUL TO ANIMALS OR HUMANS BUT DEADLY TOWARDS CRAWLING INSECTS THROUGH DEHYDRATION. Even my dog licks her body off from the white powder and she likes it. Fleas hates vinegar. I sprayed vinegar in the area where the ticks migrated on the dogs back put baking soda on the area and sprayed distilled white Vinegar and a chemical reaction it started to bubble up and killed the elder ticks and the babies then placed DE all over her body after I washed her with Dawn which my friend Glenn said to use cause it has no harmful chemicals in it.